Thousands of students are starting college this September, but it’s not just school leavers who are taking the next step towards their dream career.
Middlesbrough College’s Access to Higher Education (HE) diplomas and HE Programmes can lead to a wider range of job opportunities, a more rewarding career and increased earning potential.
So, what are you waiting for?
Enrolment is now open for career starters, swappers, and those who want to boost their skills and take advantage of the expert teaching and first-class facilities available at Ofsted-rated Good Middlesbrough College.
The College delivers flexible, affordable learning that equips students with the skills and knowledge that employers need. And the student experience is different from a traditional university, with smaller class sizes meaning more contact time with tutors.
Many of the programmes are available to study on a full and part-time basis too, giving students the flexibility to study around their work and home life commitments.
One student who made a life changing move is former administration assistant Becca Pethrick.
Inspired by her own experiences of having children, the 28-year-old working mum of three from Middlesbrough decided she wanted to pursue her dream career of helping other women start their families.
After working in an office based role for more than seven years, Becca took a leap of faith and enrolled onto a part-time Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health & Care, while working full time and bringing up her three young children.
“After having my own children, I decided I wanted to work in the health sector and help other women through their pregnancies,” she said.
“The course was fantastic and I was offered a lot of support while studying. The tutors and careers service were excellent and really helped me prepare for my university applications and interviews. I was delighted to be offered places at university for nursing and that wouldn’t have been possible without the College.”
“My advice to any working mums who want to change their career is just to go for it! If you want it enough you can do it. Middlesbrough College were incredibly supportive of me so I would definitely recommend studying there.”
After completing her diploma, Becca hopes to continue studying and train to be either a midwife or neonatal nurse.
“The possibilities are endless,” she added.
If like Becca you want to make a career change, Access to HE diplomas offer an alternative route for people who want to go on to university but don’t have traditional qualifications. The year-long courses equip students with the skills and know-how required for further study.
As the largest provider in the North East, the College offers 14 diplomas across a range of subjects, including business, healthcare and computing.
After completing an Access course, students can progress to further study at degree level.
20-year-old Tom Eglinton from Ingleby Barwick studied a Level 3 Sports BTEC at Middlesbrough College and loved his time at the College so much, he decided to stay to study for a degree in Sports Therapy and Injury Rehabilitation.
He said: “I was over the moon to stay at the College and follow my dream to become a Sports Therapist.”
“The teachers are really knowledgeable and a few of them taught me previously so settling in took no time at all. I wasn’t really sure about moving away from home for university either, so studying HE at the College was the ideal route for me. I feel really comfortable here and there’s a nice environment.”
“As well as gaining further knowledge on the course, we also get a number of placement opportunities which really helps to give us hands-on experience ahead of employment.”
“I’d definitely recommend coming to Middlesbrough College for higher education!”
As well as its unique course offering and expert tutors, Middlesbrough College is home to unrivalled training facilities, including the £20m STEM Training Centre, a Health and Care Ward and a dedicated digital hub, MC Digital.
This spring, Professor Brian Cox helped to launch a fresh £20m investment into the college’s campus – including a new Digital Centre and expansion of the STEM Centre with its realistic industrial learning environments.
The investment brings with it programming suites, cyber labs, video editing suites, a games design suite and a full TV and film studio in which T Levels – the new work placement-focused technical qualifications – will be delivered later this year.
At the STEM Centre, a new Higher Education Centre is being developed to provide additional teaching space, IT facilities and a learning resource centre.
And MC CLICK – the college’s device loan programme – will give all first year HE students on a level 4 programme the digital tools they need to maximise their learning.
Building on its Good Ofsted rating, Middlesbrough College Group is also the Tees Valley delivery partner in the North East Institute of Technology (IoT) – one of only a handful of such institutes in the country that link further education providers, employers and universities.
Through the IoT, the College will offer specialist courses for the construction, manufacturing and digital sectors.
Take the first step towards your dream career and find out more about Middlesbrough College’s Access to HE diplomas and HE programmes – call 01642 333333 for course information or click here to search our courses.
